Christian Drug Rehabilitation Centers

The assistance of Christian drug rehabilitation centers can help addicts and their families recovery from the ravages of substance abuse and rediscover healthy lifestyles and faith in God. Other important priorities can include repairing broken relationships between family members as well as leading the addict back to a life of faith. The focus of treatment will generally move beyond just the patients needs, but also offer healing to the entire family. In many cases, when addictions are present, some form of codependency will be present as well. Loved ones that have sacrificed their own interests in order to meet the growing needs of an addict will also be in need of effective treatment and compassionate healing. For this reason, many Christian drug rehabilitation centers will treat the whole family rather than simply zeroing in on the individual patient's recovery needs. While many secular treatment facilities will incorporate twelve step programs that instruct patients to call upon a vague higher power, Christian facilities will not back away from pointing patients to Jesus Christ as the main source of hope and deliverance. Some of the tools that will be used in the course of treatment at a faith based center will generally include, detox programs, individual counseling, group therapy, prayer groups, Bible studies and a focus on healing through the power of God.

For many addicts who turn to a faith based facility for help, there may be a fear that God has rejected them forever because of their failures and addictions. One of the greatest services that Christian drug rehabilitation centers will offer is a reassurance to patients that if they turn the situation over to God, God will not abandon them. Helping patients and families to leave denial behind and be reconciled with God is one of the key factors that separate faith based and secular recovery programs. For addicts who have a background in faith, the inclusion of Christian beliefs can make a huge difference and may even remove stumbling blocks that can exist under a more secular approach. If a patient feels that an approach to treatment may be violating long held beliefs, this can create a hindrance to recovery. But when a treatment plan reinforces an individual's personal beliefs, these plans can be much more likely to succeed. For many patients, the cycle of drug abuse has been very destructive. Often families will report that the patient has become a completely different person than who they were before the addiction. Rediscovering the strengths and personality traits of a recovering addict can be one of the greatest joys of completing programs at Christian drug rehabilitation centers.

Professional Christian drug rehabilitation centers will generally offer a number of features that constitute the integral parts of their recovery treatment plans. If an addict is able to understand some of the factors in their lives that may have led to an addiction situation, they may feel more motivated to complete treatment and recovery. For this reason, most facilities will offer a variety of educational opportunities to patients. Learning about the negative toll that addictions can take on physical health can be major motivating factors as well. The brain can suffer greatly from the impact of drug abuse. When neurological pathways in the brain are changed, the addict's behavior patterns will usually change as well. In most cases, these behavior patterns are very destructive. Denial can be a major problem for both addicts and their families. One of the most important steps occurs when addicts and loved ones are able to face this denial and reach out for help. A major component of treatment plans at Christian drug rehabilitation centers is a reliance on God. Seeing God as source of deliverance and strength is the cornerstone of a faith based recovery approach. The Bible calls believers to turn burdens over to God. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Once an addict has submitted themselves to treatment at Christian drug rehabilitation centers, they will usually need to undergo a period of detox. The drugs that were abused by the addict before treatment will have built up in the patient's body. Letting the effects of these harmful chemicals wear off is what detoxification of the body is all about. The withdrawal process can be very difficult. In some cases it can even be life threatening. Individuals who attempt to kick a drug habit on their own will often fail during the detox period. The help of professionals is very important during this time. Once the body is free of the damage that these chemicals can cause, real recovery can begin.

Patients and families at Christian drug rehabilitation centers will often find that they are dealing with a great deal of guilt. The high standards of a previous Christian lifestyle can give an addict a sense of having fallen too far to ever hope that restoration is possible. An understanding of these feelings is one of the benefits of a more faith based approach to recovery can offer. Dealing with the issue of guilt can be a very major part of treatment for families of faith. Rediscovering hope in God and feeling reconnected with other family members can be a major motivating factor for many Christian addicts. With the help of compassionate professionals who understand the personal beliefs of addicts and their families, those struggling with serious addictions can begin a new life that is free from the bondage of drugs.

Christian Drug Rehab Centers

For many hurting people, Christian drug rehab centers aren't just lifesavers they are soul-savers. The professionals at these treatment facilities care about an individual's addictions, but they also care about the individual as a person who was made in the image of God. Though the philosophies and mission statements of different organizations will vary, the primary focus is similar to glorify God through helping His hurting people get well. There is an eternal perspective that is missing from even the best secular programs. For example, the best-known association for recovering alcoholics utilizes a twelve-step program that references a "higher power." Christians who participate in this program do realize, of course, that the higher power is God. Non-Christians may be resistant to this same realization, but the truth is that God is the only higher power. Some Christian drug rehab centers also use a twelve-step program. But the twelve steps are modified to recognize God as the only higher power and Jesus the Christ as His Son who was born, died, and rose again to offer the gift of eternal life to all who believe in Him. The Christian programs may have a specific Scripture verse that goes along with each of the twelve steps. This keeps the focus on God and the Bible.

Christians strive to live godly lives, but this doesn't mean that they live perfect lives. Even spiritually mature people face temptations. In fact, they may be special targets of Satan and his enemies. It can be very difficult for Christians to admit an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Shame and self-loathing are two powerful emotions that keep addicted people from seeking the help that is so desperately needed. But these kinds of addictions can only be hidden for so long. And Christians need to understand that recovery is easier when treatments are sought earlier rather than later. The programs at Christian drug rehab centers are specially designed to offer love and support as the individual escapes the bondage of these sins. The half-brother of Jesus wrote: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Confession and prayer are important aspects of recovery. Confession cleanses one's spirit and the power of prayer is being recognized even by those who claim no allegiance to Jesus. Recent research indicates that prayer even seems to help those who don't know that others are praying for them.

Custom treatment programs are available at many Christian drug rehab centers. For example, a person who is addicted to meth has different issues than the alcoholic. Some people are addicted to prescription medications and require a different approach. Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a medical history. The comprehensive approach addresses the person's physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. The underlying causes of the addiction need to be revealed and this can be a very painful process both emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes there are family issues that need to be confronted for the person to overcome the addiction. Along with the psychological and spiritual needs, the person's body suffers as the drug of choice is withheld. The physical body has become dependent upon the alcohol, the meth, the prescription medication, and craves it. Physiological symptoms, such as shaking or sweating, cause great discomfort. Though "cold turkey" may work for some situations, some medications have to be slowly withdrawn. The body couldn't take a total and immediate withdrawal. The professionals at Christian drug rehab centers are specially trained to monitor and help with this process.

When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or drugs, there are always consequences. Marriages fall apart. Parent-child relationships are ruined. There may be legal or financial difficulties. Perhaps the addiction became so prevalent that the individual lost his job or became a thief. The consequences, whatever they may be, need to be addressed as part of the treatment and recovery program. Former addicts are encouraged to make restitution as best they can for the damages that have been inflicted on others. Group therapy sessions at Christian drug rehab centers provide emotional support and accountability for those who have reached this stage in the recovery process. Interestingly enough, recent research seems to indicate that gender-specific group therapy sessions are the most effective. Both men and women are more open in groups that are gender-specific instead of mixed. An addict who is seeking treatment will want to find a center that implements the most up-to-date behavioral therapies.

Listings of Christian drug rehab centers can be found on the internet. Many of these facilities have websites that explain their approach to treatment. The addict may need to begin the recovery process in a residential center. Here she will be evaluated and given an individualized plan. Around the clock monitoring will keep her from slipping up. Both group and individual therapy sessions will help reveal the causes underlying the addiction and hold her accountable for the consequences. Bible studies and prayer will help the recovering addict find forgiveness and acceptance through Jesus' love. Once the residential program is completed, the individual may choose to participate in transitional housing. More commonly known as a half-way house, transitional programs provide a place of accountability and safety while also allowing the individual additional freedom and mobility. Effective Christian drug rehab centers are places of physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. The people that go through these programs need love, support, and prayer.